Participants in a domestic violence prevention forum have called for a united front in tackling domestic violence, urging communities to move beyond awareness to decisive action in order to build safer and more supportive environments.
They explained that “action” in addressing domestic violence went beyond sensitisation to include reporting abuse to the appropriate authorities, supporting victims to access legal and psychosocial services, intervening safely when signs of abuse are identified, and creating safe spaces where victims can speak up without fear of stigma or retaliation.
They made the call at a community engagement on domestic violence organised by Trailblazers in Accra on Wednesday.
The event formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen awareness and drive action against domestic violence, with participants encouraged to report abuse and support victims within their communities.
Delivering the keynote address, a gender advocate and community development practitioner, Victoria Dabrah, charged members of the community to become one another’s protectors by speaking up and responding promptly to incidents of abuse.
She stressed that creating a safe society required deliberate efforts anchored on education and empowerment.
“Through education and empowerment, we can build a community that stands for justice and ensures that victims can speak up without fear,” Mrs Debrah, wife of the Chief of Staff, who also has enormous experience in promoting women’s rights and social protection, said.
Legal perspective
A legal practitioner specialising in gender-based violence, Kezia P.M. Kenneth, cautioned that domestic abuse cuts across all social classes, genders and backgrounds.
She emphasised that no individual was immune to abuse and urged victims and witnesses alike to seek help at the earliest signs of danger.
“Abuse does not know class, gender or status. Anyone can be a victim, and it is important that people speak up and seek help when they sense danger,” she stated.
Ms Kenneth further urged society to promote honesty and openness in relationships, noting that silence and denial often enabled abuse to persist.
She also cautioned against the tendency to glorify marriage at the expense of personal safety and well-being.
“Marriage should not be upheld at all costs when it becomes unsafe. Society must stop pressuring individuals to remain in harmful unions,” she added.
Victim’s story
In an emotional address, Rejoice Yabani, mother of the late Joana Deladem Yabani, who was killed by her boyfriend at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), shared her daughter’s story as a cautionary tale to the youth.
She urged young people to remain focused on their education and be mindful of the relationships they enter.
Mrs Yabani emphasised that domestic abuse went beyond physical violence to include emotional and psychological harm, adding that such behaviours often went unnoticed until it was too late.
She further noted that domestic violence affected both men and women, and called on society to protect all victims while ensuring that perpetrators were held accountable regardless of gender.
She further cautioned the youth to be mindful of narcissistic partners or friends and should always report such people to the right authorities before it was late.
Collective fight
The Founder of Trailblazers, an organisation championing youth development and advocacy, Lynn Osei-Bonsu, underscored the importance of a collective approach in combating domestic violence.
According to her, the fight against abuse could not be left to victims alone but required the active involvement of families, institutions and the wider community.
“It is a shared responsibility. We must all rise and support efforts aimed at ending domestic violence,” she stated.
Adding her voice, a victim of domestic violence, Mercy Kokoli, advised young people to prioritise personal development, skills acquisition and education before entering into relationships.
She encouraged the youth to build their self-worth and independence, noting that doing so could reduce vulnerability to abusive relationships.
The event formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen awareness and drive action against domestic violence, with participants encouraged to report abuse and support victims within their communities.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh